Cards Analytics Specialist

About the Role

We are looking for a Cards Analytics Specialist to join our Cards & Payments division in Doha, Qatar for a 12-month contract. This role reports directly to the heads of Cards Product, Portfolio, and Analytics teams and demands an expert with at least 7 years of experience in cards analytics, portfolio analytics, or business intelligence within banking, payments, or financial services. Proficiency in SQL, Excel, and data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI is essential. Fluency in English is required, and candidates should be available to join immediately or within a 30-day notice period.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this position is to embed dedicated analytics capacity to enhance data-driven decisions throughout the card product lifecycle—including acquisition, activation, spend growth, retention, and profitability. The specialist will be responsible for managing portfolio performance reports, identifying trends and risks, evaluating campaign effectiveness, and turning data insights into actionable strategies for senior leadership. This is an opportunity to impact the commercial success of a card portfolio by bridging product strategy, marketing efforts, and financial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and deliver regular and ad-hoc performance dashboards detailing key metrics such as acquisition, activation, spending, earning net revenue (ENR), delinquency, attrition, and profitability across card portfolios.
• Conduct detailed analyses on portfolio segments based on product type, channel, customer groups, and vintage to recognize performance influencers, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Design and implement campaign measurement methodologies including control groups, ROI calculation, and response analysis to assess and enhance marketing campaigns.
• Support decision-making by providing comprehensive analytical reports, scenario planning, and business case development to various teams including Product, Marketing, and Risk.
• Identify and promote enhancements to data quality, automate routine reports, and improve self-service analytics for stakeholders.
• Maintain and deliver an on-time performance reporting suite (daily, weekly, monthly) ensuring accuracy and relevant insights for the Cards leadership to monitor KPIs and adjust strategies.
• Translate data insights into clear presentations and reports aligned with portfolio profit & loss elements such as interchange, fees, costs, and provisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity, consensus on key performance indicators, and integration of analytics into planning and campaign cycles.
• Enhance data extraction and reporting processes through automation and quality controls to boost efficiency and reduce errors.

Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and punctuality in report delivery, aiming for less than 2% error rate.
• Engagement level with self-service dashboards targeted at more than 70% monthly stakeholder usage.
• Completion of pre and post-campaign analyses within 10 business days of campaign close for all card campaigns.
• Number of recommendations from analytics adopted by Product/Marketing per quarter.
• Average turnaround time for ad-hoc analytical requests set to 3 business days.
• Progress in automating manual reports and expanding self-serve reporting capabilities every quarter.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in cards analytics, portfolio analytics, or business intelligence roles in banking, payments, or fintech.
• Knowledge of retail banking, consumer lending, or credit risk analytics is advantageous.
• Deep understanding of cards portfolio aspects including acquisition funnels, activation rates, spending habits, ENR, attrition, delinquency, and profitability factors.
• Familiarity with card portfolio profit and loss structure including interchange income, fee revenues, cost of funds, scheme fees, and provisions.
• Expertise in campaign analytics involving targeting, segmentation, control groups, uplift and ROI measurement.
• Preferred experience with card scheme reporting and benchmarking tools.
• Strong command of SQL for complex query writing and large dataset manipulation.
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, data modeling, and macros.
• Competency in dashboard creation using Tableau or Power BI.
• Experience with Python, R, or SAS for statistical analysis and data automation is preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM and campaign management systems such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Adobe Campaign, or SAS CI is a plus.
• Exposure to core banking and card management systems preferred.
• Relevant certifications like Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), or Mastercard Portfolio Management Certification are beneficial.
• Excellent data storytelling and presentation skills to communicate complex findings to senior stakeholders with commercial insight.
• Strong problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, ability to handle multiple requests, and a collaborative work ethic.
• Meticulous attention to data accuracy and quality.